Bmw 520 vs Bmw M3 semi auto: reliability comparison
MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.
Bmw 520
78%
MOT pass rate · 156,398 vehicles
Bmw M3 semi auto
90%
MOT pass rate · 542 vehicles
More reliable
Verdict: On MOT pass rate, the Bmw M3 semi auto is the more reliable of the two — 90% pass first time versus 78%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.
Head to head
| Measure | Bmw 520 | Bmw M3 semi auto |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 78% | 90% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 22% | 10% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 1.6 | 0.0 ✓ |
| Dangerous-fault share | 3% | — ✓ |
| Average mileage | 134,460 mi | 61,187 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 156,398 | 542 |
Most common faults
Bmw 520
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Bmw M3 semi auto
No fault breakdown available.
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate, the Bmw M3 semi auto is the more reliable of the two — 90% pass first time versus 78%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.
Full Bmw 520 report Full Bmw M3 semi auto report Most reliable cars
Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.